Registry to offer veteran’ designation on license plates

The Registry of Motor Vehicles will begin offering Massachusetts veterans the option to have the word “Veteran” appear on their driver’s license or I.D. card, starting in January.

The Registry of Motor Vehicles will begin offering Massachusetts veterans the option to have the word “Veteran” appear on their driver’s license or I.D. card, starting in January.

“With over 393,000 veterans across the Commonwealth, we need to do our part to increase awareness about available resources for military servicemen and women,” said Lt. Gov. Murray, chairman of the Governor’s Advisory Council on Veterans Services. “With the RMV already designating ‘Veterans’ on license plates, we’re now extending that designation to include state identification cards and licenses as a means to better inform these deserving men and women of services and benefits they have rightfully earned.”

The “Veteran” designation is designed to increase awareness about available resources and benefits. The feature will provide valuable information to first responders and will help the Department of Veterans’ Services notify veterans of benefits they are eligible to receive.

There is no additional cost for the “Veteran” designation, as long as it is added during an individual’s license renewal process. Standard license renewal and duplication fees apply.

Massachusetts joins a series of states that offer a “Veteran” designation, including: North Dakota, Utah and Georgia. The RMV expects this designation to be available to customers by mid-January 2012.

For information about the Department of Veterans Services: mass.gov/veterans

For information on the Massachusetts Department of Transportation RMV: massdot.state.ma.us/rmv/